Viru Prison

Construction of Viru Prison buildings was completed in 2008. The prison with the surrounding premises extends across 16 hectares and is mainly guarded by way of electronic surveillance installed on prison barriers. Viru Prison is the first prison where all of the buildings on the premises are connected by closed connecting routes for increased security.

Viru Prison incorporates a prison and a house of detention. The one- and two-person cells accommodate a maximum of 1,000 prisoners, plus 75 prisoners in open prison and 150 prisoners in the house of detention. The prison also contains a residence for 300 persons in custody. The prison complex further includes a school, a sports hall, social work facilities, a chapel, and workshops.

The Prison incorporates 466.5 staff positions, including 284 prison officer positions.

As a novelty in the history of the entire Prison Service, a maximum security unit was established at Viru Prison. The prison also facilitates a unit for 250 juvenile prisoners that houses all of the juvenile convicted offenders and persons in custody as well as all young convicted offenders.

The very first prisoners arrived at Viru Prison in early April 2008. For a precise prisoner count, click here.

The prisoners receive education from Kohtla-Järve Upper Secondary School for Adults as of September 1, 2015 and from Ida-Virumaa Vocational Education Center as of September 1, 2008; employment opportunities are provided by AS Eesti Vanglatööstus. In 2008–2015, Jõhvi Upper Secondary School provided prisoners with general education.